A recent leak of a shipping manifest has shed light on AMD's upcoming Threadripper 9000 series processors, codenamed Shimada Peak. Among the revelations is the unexpected introduction of a 16-core version, which will join the previously disclosed 96-core flagship model. The documents suggest that this new high-performance desktop lineup will keep the same power consumption levels as the previous generation, even as AMD has been shifting towards more power-efficient designs in its mainstream desktop offerings.
Confirmed Specs and Performance
The Threadripper 9000 series, which is anticipated to incorporate Zen 5 architecture, looks ready to keep AMD at the forefront of the high-performance CPU market. Notably, the leaked manifest confirms a flagship processor boasting 96 cores and 192 threads, likely to be named the Threadripper 9980X. This model is set to have a thermal design power (TDP) of 350 watts, identical to that of its predecessor, the Threadripper 7980X. Even with the higher core count, it appears that AMD is prioritizing performance over power efficiency by maintaining this TDP, particularly in contrast to the lower TDPs observed in the Ryzen 9000 series chips.
The 16-Core Model
Remarkably, the manifest also refers to a 16-core processor with a TDP of 350 watts. While this might seem excessive for a chip with fewer cores, it aligns with the previous Threadripper 7000 series, all of which operated under the same thermal design. This 16-core model likely won’t be included in the standard Threadripper lineup since AMD's Threadripper 7000 series kicked off with a 24-core variant and the last 16-core version dates back to the 2000 series in 2018. It’s probable that this 16-core option will be a PRO model, following the trend of earlier Threadripper PRO series, which also offered a 16-core choice.
Clock Speeds and Expectations
Details regarding clock speeds are still unclear, but AMD’s Zen 5 architecture should deliver faster frequencies compared to Zen 4. The Ryzen 9 9950X, for instance, can boost up to 5.7 GHz. The Threadripper 7000 series already reaches speeds of up to 5.3 GHz, so a slight increase can be expected. However, significant improvements in clock speeds might be limited due to thermal and architectural restrictions.
Another fascinating aspect of the leaks is the absence of any reference to a model exceeding 96 cores. This could imply that the Threadripper 9000 series won’t feature Zen 5c-based processors. These cores, made for cloud servers, focus on increasing core counts rather than enhancing per-core performance. Their exclusion from the Threadripper lineup is consistent with earlier patterns, as Zen 4c cores were also missing from the Threadripper 7000 series.
Anticipated Launch
The Threadripper 9000 series is expected to hit the market soon, solidifying AMD’s leadership in the high-end desktop (HEDT) segment and equipping power users with tools necessary for intensive tasks like 3D rendering, video editing, and scientific simulations. With Shimada Peak setting new standards, the HEDT arena is about to become significantly more competitive.
